BASEBALL STRETCHES WINNING STREAK TO THREE GAMES WITH 8-4 WIN OVER PACIFIC

3/11/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Juniors Tim Wheeler and Josh Powers each had three hits to lead the Sacramento State offense and Chris Baek and Jeff Roth combined to allow just three earned runs as the Hornet baseball team defeated Pacific, 8-4, Tuesday afternoon at Hornet Field.

The victory improved Sacramento State to 4-7 overall and gave the team its third consecutive win dating back to Sunday. The Tigers dropped to 3-8.

Trailing 3-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Hornets posted three runs to take the lead for good. Powers led off the inning with a single to center and advanced to second after beating a throw on a sacrifice bunt from Brent Hottman to place runners on first and second. Derrick Chung then tripled off the wall in right center to plate both runners. Following a pitching change, Hunter Martinez drove in Chung to give Sacramento State a 5-3 lead.

The Tigers pulled within one with a tally in the top of the seventh inning only to have the Hornets respond with three more runs in the bottom half. With one out, Powers doubled to straight-away center field and later scored on a single from Hottman. A two-out single from Blake Crosby drove in Hottman and Wheeler capped the inning with an RBI line drive single to left.

The eight runs proved to be plenty for the Hornet pitching staff. Baek earned his first victory of the year after throwing 5.0 innings and allowing seven hits and three runs (all earned). Baek also showed good control, striking out four while walking just one.
 
Jeff Roth tossed the remainder of the game to earn his first save of the season. Roth scattered four hits and one unearned run in 4.0 innings with two strikeouts and one walk.

Wheeler earned his fourth three-hit game in the team’s first 11 outings of the year and improved his average to .439. Powers picked up his first in a Hornet uniform and stretched his hitting streak to a team best seven games. Crosby, Hottman and Chung also added a pair of hits for the team.

Pacific’s Jamie Niley took the loss after allowing five runs and three hits in 3-plus innings. Niley also walked three batters and hit three.

The Hornets return to action on Friday in the first contest of a three-game series against UC Davis. Friday’s game will start at 2 p.m. at UC Davis before the team’s come to Hornet Field for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. The series finale will be back in Davis on Sunday.